Clarkstown South Valedictorian: Justin Mathew

Justin Mathew always has liked science. So it's not a surprise that the Clarkstown South High School valedictorian will be studying neurobiology when he heads off to Harvard this fall.

"I've loved the sciences since I've been in fifth grade," Mathew said.

Part of that love is based on the analytical way Mathew likes to view things. He enjoys math and science because there is a linear progression that provides answers to how something works, he said.

"You can explain nearly every phenomenon in this world and see how everything works," he said. "I enjoy being able to reason my way through anything.

Mathew, 18, of West Nyack, is the middle child of Oommen and Molamma Mathew. He said part of his drive to succeed comes from a friendly sibling rivalry with his older sister, who also is studying for a career in medicine, and younger brother.

Mathew is unsure what type of medicine he wants to practice, but sees being a doctor as a way to give back to a community. His volunteer efforts are many and include four years with the New City Volunteer Ambulance Corps/Rescue Squad as a member of its youth corps.

Working with the ambulance group has provided him with first-hand insights into a possible career in medicine. The corps members were always willing to answer his questions, he said.

"The ambulance corps was especially helpful," Mathew said. "The first-hand experiences were something that allowed for patient interaction. It was very much a learning experience."

Mathew's honors and awards fill an entire page on his resume and span the gamut of his interests, from math and sciences to badminton, which he said "is a great way to relieve stress and have fun."

Some of those honors include four years as a member of Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society, including a stint as secretary of the national organization; four years attending the Science Olympiad, including a first-place medal in the biology competition in 2009; being a National Merit Scholarship finalist, a Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholar, a 2009 Excellence in AP Biology Award Plaque and Physics Award Plaque winner and receiving a 2009 Mathematics Award for Outstanding Achievement in AP Calculus.

Maintaining such a busy schedule outside school while still excelling inside "is a juggling act," Matthew said, but "I feel obliged to give back to my community and volunteering is part of that."

Mathew said he is grateful to many of his teachers at Clarkstown South, who helped to guide and inspire him to improve himself. He said his four years at the school were filled with a lot of personal and academic growth.

"The four years really have been a chance to try something new and stretch myself academically," he said.

Capping those four years by being named valedictorian was "a relief that all that hard work paid off," Mathew said. "I was excited and happy, but also relieved."

Graduation at Clarkstown South is set for 5:30 p.m. today at the South campus in West Nyack.